Reds pressure was on - Suarez

02 July 2011 11:00

uis Suarez admits he felt under pressure to deliver after sealing his big-money move to Liverpool in January.

The Reds paid Dutch giants Ajax £22.8million for the Uruguayan striker in the winter transfer window as Kenny Dalglish sought to add extra firepower to his ranks.

With Fernando Torres in the process of completing a record-breaking move to Chelsea, it was imperative that Liverpool landed a proven marksman.

In the end they signed two, with England international Andy Carroll also arriving from Newcastle.

Both men were aware of the history and prestige which accompanies turning out for Liverpool, and Suarez has revealed that he felt intimidated by the prospect of running out at Anfield.

He told Don Balon: "There are so many people watching you. You feel the pressure of what the club has paid for you, but I tried to live as calmly as I could, not to think about the people watching me."

Suarez need not have worried, as he has slipped seamlessly into Premier League life and is already considered to be a firm fans' favourite at Anfield.

He was fully aware of what he was letting himself in for when he signed, as he discussed a move with the departing Torres on transfer deadline day.

The South American added: "He told me to be the same player I always was, not to try to change, that Liverpool were a great team and that they would help me to grow a lot.

"The truth is that his advice was a great help and he was not wrong; he was exactly right."

Suarez is committed to Liverpool for the foreseeable future, but he admits it is a long-standing dream of his to represent Barcelona.

He is prepared to put that ambition to one side for now and claims the fact that his agent is the brother of Barca boss Pep Guardiola does not mean he will soon be heading for Camp Nou.

Suarez said: "Before knowing Pere [his agent], I had that dream of having the chance to play for Barcelona.

"Obviously he is connected to Barcelona through his brother, but these are work issues, totally different to personal ones.